Internationale Zeitschrift für Physikalische Medizin und Rehabilitation
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Effects of Repeated Bouts of Segmental Vibration Therapy on Balance in Parkinsons Disease

Angela L Ridgel, Elizabeth A Narducci and Duane B Corbett

Background: One of the cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease is postural instability. This instability is believed to be due to abnormalities in processing afferent information from the vestibular, somatosensory and visual systems. Whole body vibration has been shown to improve balance in older adults. The goals of this study were to determine how sensory information affects balance and to examine if multiple sessions of segmental vibration therapy improved balance in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Methods: Balance in healthy older adults and in individuals with Parkinson’s disease was assessed using the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance. After initial assessment, individuals with Parkinson’s disease were randomized into a control or segmental vibration therapy group. The segmental vibration therapy group completed twelve sessions, over four weeks, and was re-tested after that period.
Results: Subjects with Parkinson’s disease showed the highest overall level of sway in the eyes closed soft surface condition, when compared to healthy older adults. However, repeated bouts of segmental vibration did not result in significant improvement in the sway scores.
Conclusion: Although these individuals showed significant balance deficits, segmental vibration therapy did not promote improvements in balance, as measured with the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance test.